Open
Source verified August 9, 2026
AgriAssurance Program — Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises
Support for certification-driven market access
Funding available
$ 50,000
Deadline
September 30, 2027
Opened March 6, 2023
Location
Canada
Overview
AgriAssurance Program – Small and Medium-sized Enterprises Component offers up to $50,000 to for-profit Canadian agriculture and agri-food businesses, including fish and seafood, to adopt assurance systems for export market requirements or domestic market opportunities for Indigenous Peoples. Eligible activities include professional services, staff salaries, travel, and lab testing tied to certification.
/100
Opportunity Score
Moderate potential, but conditions must align.
At a glance
Funding available
Financing goals
- Obtain certifications or accreditations
- Develop workforce skills
- Access new markets
Eligible Funding
- Maximum amount : 50,000 $
- Up to 50% of project cost
Funds Providers
Eligible candidates
Eligible Industries
- All industries
Location
- Canada
Legal structures
- For-profit business
Annual revenue
- $ 100,000,000 maximum revenue
Organisation size
- 500 employees maximum
Audience
- Indigenous Peoples
Next Steps
1
Determine your project
2
Validate your eligibility
Activities funded
- Adopt assurance systems and supporting tools to address international market requirements and expand export opportunities.
- Adopt assurance systems and supporting tools for domestic market opportunities for Indigenous Peoples.
- Obtain certification for agricultural and agri-food products required to access a specific export opportunity or domestic markets.
Documents Needed
- Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada's AgriAssurance Program Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SME) Questionnaire
- Detailed Project Budget
- Consent form
- the organization's Certificates or Articles of Incorporation or alternative
- the last 2 years' financial statements
Official resources
Official page
Program guide
Eligibility
Who is eligible?
- For-profit
- Indigenous (First Nations, Métis, Inuit)
Who is not eligible
The eligibility criteria and restrictions in the given context do not explicitly exclude any particular types of companies or industries. The focus is on those that meet specific eligibility criteria such as being a for-profit organization and operating within eligible sectors.
Eligible expenses
- Contracting professional services to obtain the certification for agricultural and agri-food products required to access a specific export opportunity or domestic markets.
- The salary of individuals dedicated to working on the development of documents and/or training for such certification.
- Travelling to enable the certification.
- Lab testing costs required to obtain the certification or recognition.
Ineligible Costs and Activities
- Costs incurred before AAFC deems your application complete are ineligible for reimbursement and will not be considered part of your cost-share.
- Costs incurred prior to AAFC approval or the project start date may not be reimbursed by AAFC.
- In-kind contributions are ineligible.
Selection criteria
- Applications are first assessed for completeness, project eligibility, alignment of activities and outcomes with program objectives, and identification of all funding sources.
- A further review assesses the applicant's capacity to deliver the project, including resources and timelines.
- Review also considers whether proposed activities and costs are eligible, reasonable, and required to meet objectives.
- Projects with potential for the greatest benefits may have a better chance of being approved for funding.
How to apply
- Access your program information, click the Grants and contributions button, and choose a secure sign-in method.
- Sign in or sign up, then start a new application process.
- Complete the AgriAssurance Program: Small and Medium-sized Enterprise Component Application Form.
- Download the Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada AgriAssurance Program Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SME) Questionnaire and the Detailed Project Budget.
- Complete and save the budget, consent form, and questionnaire, then upload the completed forms and the organization's Certificates or Articles of Incorporation or alternative and the last 2 years' financial statements.
- Complete the application details and submit your complete application.
Processing and Agreement
- After you submit your application, an acknowledgement notice will be sent to you, and your application is not considered submitted until you receive it.
- If deemed incomplete, your application will be placed on hold and a notice will be sent to you to ask for more detailed information.
- If approved for funding, the approval details will include activities, funding levels, and the start and end dates.
- AAFC does not have the authority to reimburse recipients for costs incurred until a contribution agreement is signed.
- Approved applicants must report on finances, performance and results.
Additional information
- Quebec-based applicants must address the Province of Quebec's M-30 legislation during assessment and before entering a contribution agreement.
- The contribution agreement contains an intellectual property clause, and AAFC may require a non-exclusive, worldwide, perpetual, royalty-free license to the Crown for internal government administration purposes.
- If the project is a project under the Impact Assessment Act and takes place on federal lands or outside Canada, or on reserves, surrendered lands, or other lands subject to the Indian Act, further assessment may be required.
Contacts
Other components of this program
Explore related funding streams and grants that belong to the same program.
- AgriAssurance Program – National Industry Association ComponentSupports industry-led assurance systems in agriculture
- AgriAssurance Program — Kosher and Halal Investment – For-profitFunding for kosher and halal certification
- AgriAssurance Program — Kosher and Halal Investment – Not-for-profitFunding for national assurance system projects
Frequently Asked Questions about the AgriAssurance Program — Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises Program
What is the AgriAssurance Program — Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises?
AgriAssurance Program – Small and Medium-sized Enterprises Component offers up to $50,000 to for-profit Canadian agriculture and agri-food businesses, including fish and seafood, to adopt assurance systems for export market requirements or domestic market opportunities for Indigenous Peoples. Eligible activities include professional services, staff salaries, travel, and lab testing tied to certification.
How much funding can be received?
AgriAssurance Program — Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises Funds up to 50% of admissible expenses, capped at $50,000 per project.
What is the deadline to apply?
The application deadline for this grant program is September 30, 2027. Applicants must submit their complete application before this date to be considered for funding.
Who is eligible for the AgriAssurance Program — Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises program?
To be eligible for the AgriAssurance Program — Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises program, you must:
For-profit
Indigenous (First Nations, Métis, Inuit)
What expenses are eligible under AgriAssurance Program — Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises?
Adopt assurance systems and supporting tools to address international market requirements and expand export opportunities.
Adopt assurance systems and supporting tools for domestic market opportunities for Indigenous Peoples.
Obtain certification for agricultural and agri-food products required to access a specific export opportunity or domestic markets.
Who can I contact for more information about the AgriAssurance Program — Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises?
You can contact Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC) by email at aafc.assurance.aac@agr.gc.ca or by phone at 1-877-246-4682.
Where is the AgriAssurance Program — Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises available?
The AgriAssurance Program — Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises program is available across Canada.